Here's what I've been up to!
I’m delighted to have met and supported many postgraduate students recently, listening to their concerns and guiding them to the right resources. Generally speaking, more career support offerings tailored for postgraduates are on the way, so keep an eye on my newsletter for updates! We’re also planning more engaging social events where you can learn new skills and make friends. I’ve attended key Union and UCL meetings to strengthen student representation and foster partnerships, ensuring continuous improvement in your experience. Stay tuned for upcoming activities and opportunities.
How have I communicated with students in the past fortnight?
I’ve engaged with postgraduate students through various events and interactions. I was honoured to serve as a panellist in two International Student Q&A Talks, present at six “A Students’ Guide to UCL” orientation talks, and lead online inductions for PGR students as well as fully online learners. After each event, I stayed at the venue to answer questions and offer further support. Meeting new students at the Welcome Fair was another highlight, as it allowed for meaningful conversations and introductions. I also attended several Students' Union meetings, such as the Union Executive, Activity Zone, Education Zone, and Welfare & Community Zone meetings. Additionally, I was excited to be part of social PG events like the PG Wine and Cheese Night and the PGR Supper Club.
(Some of them actually happened earlier but I just wanted to share with you hehe)
My Priorities
- Masters students are empowered to enhance and confidently articulate their skills and experience to further their future employment and life chances.
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I have been working with UCL Careers to plan and promote more career events that cater to the needs of postgraduate students. A variety of sector specific UCL Careers Fairs have been taking place, covering areas such as management consultancy, tech, law, and more. Students and recent graduates are welcome to attend any fair, regardless of their courses. These offerings were key initiatives that I have been campaigning for, and it’s fantastic to see them come to fruition.
As mentioned previously, I also served as a panellist in two International Student Q&A Talks, presented at six “A Students’ Guide to UCL” orientation talks, and led online inductions for PGR students and fully online learners. In these events, I had the opportunity to introduce career support resources and other support services that students can take advantage of, such as the SU Advice Service, UCL Student Support and Well-being services, and more. These sessions collectively reached thousands of new postgraduate students. After each event, I made sure to stay at the venue to answer questions and offer further support, helping new postgraduate students feel more optimistic about their journey at UCL.
- Academic Reps are engaged and empowered to represent students, who are listened to and work in partnership with staff to improve the learning experience.
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Due to the recent election of all the academic reps, I haven’t been able to fully start my work with them. However, I was pleased to meet and interact with some of the newly elected reps at the Policy Zone Summit. This allowed me to get to know them, listen to their priorities, and start fostering an environment where we can support each other as a team.
- Research students are supported and empowered in a thriving community where they feel they belong and are valued.
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I was chuffed to participate in the PGR online induction, where I hosted a digital stall designed to showcase how PGR students can engage with the Students' Union and benefit from the support we provide. This opportunity allowed me to explain in detail the different ways students can become involved with the SU, as well as to answer questions related to their academic journey and daily life in London. It was rewarding to see the interest and enthusiasm from students as they learned more about the resources available to them.
In addition to these efforts, I have been actively collaborating with Research Student Officer Jamie Wong to plan and develop more social events tailored for PGR students. One of our most successful initiatives so far has been the launch of the PGR Supper Club. This event was a great achievement, with attendees enjoying a dinner at a subsidized price while having the chance to socialise and build new friendships.
Meetings & Outcomes
- Union meetings attended and main outcomes
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I attended key Union meetings like Union Executive, Policy Zone Summit, Activity Zone, Education Zone, and Welfare & Community Zone meetings. I was excited to meet and interact with some of the newly elected student leaders. These meetings allowed me to get to know them, listen to their priorities, and start fostering an environment where we can support each other as a team
I chaired PG (T/R) Engagement Delivery Group (term 1 meeting)
The group’s core purpose is to be a collaborative platform to coordinate and direct efforts to improve PGR and PGT student experience and engagement in Union activity in line with the implementation of the Student Life Strategy. Furthermore, the group will help steer priorities on engaging and supporting our postgraduate student body and it is intended to be a forum to share best practice.
In this meeting, we established the existing work streams on and support available for PGT and PGR engagement in the SU and share best practice. Identified gaps in provision and initiated new activity. Ensured that our work encompasses experiences and opportunities for learning and development for both international and home students.
- UCL meetings attended and main outcomes
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- The SU x UCL Careers collaboration has agreed on providing more career support offerings catered to the needs of postgraduate students. had conversations around optimising the communication plan regarding their offerings.
- The PGR Induction Working Group has planned both an online PGR induction and an in-person PGR networking and induction event.
Sabbatical Officer Reports
Our Sabbatical Officers create a report every two weeks to inform our members. They believe that keeping everyone in the loop can foster a lively, supportive atmosphere where students feel encouraged to participate and share their ideas. These updates are a great way for them to share what's been happening, from their current projects to collaborations with different student groups, academic departments, and community organizations.
In each report, you can expect to find insights into the challenges they are tackling, the solutions they are implementing, and the positive impacts these efforts have on student life. From supporting engaging events and workshops to launching new programs that promote well-being and academic success, their initiatives are designed to enhance the overall campus experience.
- Read Darcy's Reports Here
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October: [No Report Submitted]
Postgraduate Officer - November Report 1
December: [No Report Due to Annual Leave]
Voting Record
As democratic leaders, all Sabbatical Officers must maintain transparency in their work. Below is a record of the voting on policies introduced during the academic year 2024-2025 and how Darcy has voted. Please note that Sabbatical Officers do not participate in all Zones and, therefore, do not vote on every policy.
Policy | Vote |
The Union should lobby UCL to expand Project Period into a university-wide initiative | For |
International Student Officer to have Membership of All Zones & Union Executive | For |
The Union should create a "Commuters' officer" role | N/A |
Change to the Structure of the Sports Rep System | For |
Ban fossil fuel companies from sponsoring clubs and societies | N/A |